3 Buccaneers cut candidates who emerged from OTAs

It’s early in the offseason, and training camp hasn’t even taken place yet, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers already have some cut candidates whose jobs could be in danger. 

With several players making strong impressions during OTAs, the pressure is heating up for certain players to elevate their performance and secure a roster spot. 

3 players who could be on the Buccaneers’ chopping block 

QB Connor Bazelak 

The Buccaneers really like quarterback Connor Bazelak, who made the team as an undrafted free agent last season.

He spent most of the year on the practice squad, and the team even elevated him to the active roster late in the season as a reward for a job well done. But he’s suddenly in danger of being tossed aside for a shiny new toy. 

The Bucs signed undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels, and the organization, from top to bottom, has had nothing but rave reviews for the new quarterback. Daniels has fans in the building, and with a strong training camp and preseason, he’s a lock for the practice squad at a minimum.

The team also signed Jake Browning to be the backup this offseason, and is the heavy favorite to win the No. 2 job. 

That means Daniels and Bazelak could go head-to-head for the final quarterback spot on the practice squad. It’s unlikely the team keeps all three of the backup options behind Mayfield, so Bazelak is suddenly under a lot of pressure.

WR Kam Johnson 

Kam Johnson did some really good things for the Bucs last year, primarily on special teams as the return man.

But the Bucs brought in running back Kenny Gainwell this offseason, who has potential as a strong return man if the team opts to use him in that role. They also have Tez Johnson who was a dynamic returner back in college. 

With all of the options for kick and punt return, Johnson can no longer rely on special teams as his only niche toward earning a roster spot. The wide receiver room is jam-packed. The Bucs have Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Ted Hurst, and Tez Johnson seemingly locked into roster spots. 

Johnson is, at best, the WR6, and as much as the team likes him, the amount of space for him on the depth chart is shrinking. 

WR David Sills 

David Sills is a prototypical X wide receiver who has experience in Zac Robinson’s offensive scheme from their time together in Atlanta. 

He seemed to have an inside track toward a roster spot, until the Bucs drafted Ted Hurst to be the primary X receiver. 

Like Kam Johnson, Sills could fall victim to the Bucs’ crowded wide receiver room. The first five spots are already secured, so Sills is fighting for a spot at the bottom of the depth chart — if they even choose to carry more than five receivers on the initial 53-man roster. 

Without an incredible standout offseason, it won’t be easy for Sills to make the roster.

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